Hi there...my husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for about 4 months now. I get migraines frequently and was told to take Hydocodone for the pain instead of Imitrex which usually takes the migraine away...well I had a migraine that lasted on and off for 4 days. Within that time I was so desperate from the pain and the fact that the Hydrocodone wasn't working that my husband convinced me to take care of myself first and to take the Imitrex. I ended up taking it twice and they are 50mg tablets. I freaked out and called my OBGYN and told her that I HAD to take the Imitrex and she mentioned that an abortion probably wouldn't be necessary...but now I'm questioning that. I looked on safefetus.com and I'm scared of what the Imitrex could do to my baby if I'm in fact pregnant. I'm wondering what the recommendation would be in this situation. Is abortion necessary?? If there was something wrong with the baby and it was because of the Imitrex I'd never forgive myself. Also having a child with problems would be the end of my husband and I:( I don't know what to do. I can't sleep because of this:(

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24 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Imitrex and getting pregnantHi there...my husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for about 4 months now. I get migraines frequently and was told to take Hydocodone for the pain instead of Imitrex which usually takes the migraine away...well I had a migraine that lasted on and off for 4 days. Within that time I was so desperate from the pain and the fact that the Hydrocodone wasn't working that my husband convinced me to take care of myself first and to take the Imitrex. I ended up taking it twice and they are 50mg tablets. I freaked out and called my OBGYN and told her that I HAD to take the Imitrex and she mentioned that an abortion probably wouldn't be necessary...but now I'm questioning that. I looked on safefetus.com and I'm scared of what the Imitrex could do to my baby if I'm in fact pregnant. I'm wondering what the recommendation would be in this situation. Is abortion necessary?? If there was something wrong with the baby and it was because of the Imitrex I'd never forgive myself. Also having a child with problems would be the end of my husband and I:( I don't know what to do. I can't sleep because of this:(

Well, it takes about a week to 10 days for implantation to complete from ovulation, and even then it's not a full transfer of nutrients from mother to fetus. Unless you have missed your period, it's unlikely the medication will have any effect since organ formation doesn't begin until 3 weeks after fertilization (about 1 week after your missed period). I would go with what your doctor is telling you to not worry. after all, you don't even know if you are pregnant yet.

Now, after a positive test following a missed period, i would not take the drug. But even though studies show that certain drugs can cause birth defects in animals, remember that animals and humans are different and things don't always cause the same reaction in a person they do in a rat.

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Report This| Share this:Imitrex and getting pregnantWell, it takes about a week to 10 days for implantation to complete from ovulation, and even then it's not a full transfer of nutrients from mother to fetus. Unless you have missed your period, it's unlikely the medication will have any effect since organ formation doesn't begin until 3 weeks after fertilization (about 1 week after your missed period). I would go with what your doctor is telling you to not worry. after all, you don't even know if you are pregnant yet.

Now, after a positive test following a missed period, i would not take the drug. But even though studies show that certain drugs can cause birth defects in animals, remember that animals and humans are different and things don't always cause the same reaction in a person they do in a rat.

I undertand your worry! I have had migraines for 19 yrs now and was on imitrex up until we started trying to have children. It is so hard to try to become pregnant and not take it! It is one thing to be pregnant and abstain, but not knowing if you even are pregnant is challenging. This last time I became pregnant with our 3rd child, it took 11 months, and it was quite painful! The only drug that I was oked for was from the same family as what you were taking. (doesn't work really, just numbs you/drugs you i think!) Well, I have to tell you that I had a severe migraine in april on the 1st day of my period and took 50mg of imitrex... later to find out that that was my last period and I became pregnant. My baby has no problems. I was also told that since we can find out by 4 weeks if someone is pregnant, then that is the moment to cease all meds. (although you should still not go for imitrex if you can!)

I am sorry you have to go through this! It is very stressful and just adds to the stress of trying to get pregnant and then being stressed leads to more migraines or worse ones! If you are pregnant make sure you talk with your nurses and OB to explain your worries and stress so that you can monitor the baby and pregnany in detail to help you out.

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Report This| Share this:Imitrex and getting pregnantI undertand your worry! I have had migraines for 19 yrs now and was on imitrex up until we started trying to have children. It is so hard to try to become pregnant and not take it! It is one thing to be pregnant and abstain, but not knowing if you even are pregnant is challenging. This last time I became pregnant with our 3rd child, it took 11 months, and it was quite painful! The only drug that I was oked for was from the same family as what you were taking. (doesn't work really, just numbs you/drugs you i think!) Well, I have to tell you that I had a severe migraine in april on the 1st day of my period and took 50mg of imitrex... later to find out that that was my last period and I became pregnant. My baby has no problems. I was also told that since we can find out by 4 weeks if someone is pregnant, then that is the moment to cease all meds. (although you should still not go for imitrex if you can!)

I am sorry you have to go through this! It is very stressful and just adds to the stress of trying to get pregnant and then being stressed leads to more migraines or worse ones! If you are pregnant make sure you talk with your nurses and OB to explain your worries and stress so that you can monitor the baby and pregnany in detail to help you out.

I feel your pain! On Sat. we had IVF for the 5th time. This time with a donor egg and my husband's sperm. 2 hours after I got home, I got a terrible migraine and had to take an Imitrex, within the next hour it didn't go away and I was dying so I took another 100 mg. pill. I am sure that I killed our baby and I am so upset with myself I want to kill myself. I think Imitrex is the reason we haven't been able to get pregnant for over 4 and a half years. It has ruined my body. I am so scared and depressed which isn't good for the baby if I am pregnant. Any suggestions?

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Report This| Share this:Imitrex and getting pregnantI feel your pain! On Sat. we had IVF for the 5th time. This time with a donor egg and my husband's sperm. 2 hours after I got home, I got a terrible migraine and had to take an Imitrex, within the next hour it didn't go away and I was dying so I took another 100 mg. pill. I am sure that I killed our baby and I am so upset with myself I want to kill myself. I think Imitrex is the reason we haven't been able to get pregnant for over 4 and a half years. It has ruined my body. I am so scared and depressed which isn't good for the baby if I am pregnant. Any suggestions?

Dear rms12,Goodness I felt soooo bad after reading your response. I don't even know you and want to give you a hug:) If I can offer you any comfort I went to the doctor today to talk about my migraines and about having taken the imitrex while ovulating and got some relief myself. The doctor said that it takes time for implantation and the imitrex was only in my system for 12 hours so there's probably no chance of the medication harming the baby if I'm in fact even pregnant. So with you having taken the imitrex only within 2 hours of the IVF then you should be ok too.

I know how you feel about feeling guilty...I haven't been ok since this all happened last Thurs. I suffer from depression as well and so this didn't help matters. My doctor recommended that I see a neurologist and set me up for an appt with one. I will then be able to discuss exactly what kind of migraines I have and then maybe be able to come up with an alternative medication for migraines while pregnant. Have you ever been to someone to discuss your migraines? Has you OBGYN told you to take something else instead of Imitrex? The reason why I'm interested in talking to the neurologist is because my OB told me to take Hydrocodone and it didn't do anything so maybe the Neuro will have some other safe suggestions.

If this offers some comfort I've been getting migraines for about 20 years and have been taking imitrex for them the whole time and we had no trouble getting pregnant with our daughter...so please feel at peace with he fact that it's highly unlikely that the imitrex is the reason that you haven't gotten pregnant. As for trying to get pregnant for 4 years my heart aches for you:( I can only imagine what that's like. I sincerely hope that this time works for you..

Hope that any of this has brought a little peace for you.

Please take care and here if you want to talk:)

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Report This| Share this:Imitrex and getting pregnantDear rms12,Goodness I felt soooo bad after reading your response. I don't even know you and want to give you a hug:) If I can offer you any comfort I went to the doctor today to talk about my migraines and about having taken the imitrex while ovulating and got some relief myself. The doctor said that it takes time for implantation and the imitrex was only in my system for 12 hours so there's probably no chance of the medication harming the baby if I'm in fact even pregnant. So with you having taken the imitrex only within 2 hours of the IVF then you should be ok too.

I know how you feel about feeling guilty...I haven't been ok since this all happened last Thurs. I suffer from depression as well and so this didn't help matters. My doctor recommended that I see a neurologist and set me up for an appt with one. I will then be able to discuss exactly what kind of migraines I have and then maybe be able to come up with an alternative medication for migraines while pregnant. Have you ever been to someone to discuss your migraines? Has you OBGYN told you to take something else instead of Imitrex? The reason why I'm interested in talking to the neurologist is because my OB told me to take Hydrocodone and it didn't do anything so maybe the Neuro will have some other safe suggestions.

If this offers some comfort I've been getting migraines for about 20 years and have been taking imitrex for them the whole time and we had no trouble getting pregnant with our daughter...so please feel at peace with he fact that it's highly unlikely that the imitrex is the reason that you haven't gotten pregnant. As for trying to get pregnant for 4 years my heart aches for you:( I can only imagine what that's like. I sincerely hope that this time works for you..

Thank you so very much for your response it brought much comfort. You have no idea how much. I went to the doctor today and she pretty much told me the same thing so I feel so much better about the situation:) Thanks again for taking the time to respond:)

Thank you so very much for your response it brought much comfort. You have no idea how much. I went to the doctor today and she pretty much told me the same thing so I feel so much better about the situation:) Thanks again for taking the time to respond:)

Dear nicoleCA,Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I've been so worried about this situation and now feel better. Always nice to know that your not the only one crazy worried about things like this.Thank you so much for your kind words and the fact that you took the time to respond to my worry:) Very much appreciated:)

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Report This| Share this:Imitrex and getting pregnantDear nicoleCA,Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I've been so worried about this situation and now feel better. Always nice to know that your not the only one crazy worried about things like this.Thank you so much for your kind words and the fact that you took the time to respond to my worry:) Very much appreciated:)

Thank you so much for your response. I am just trying to get through until Tues. when we have our pregnancy test. I have had to take Imitrex 2 more times. I think I am getting rebound headaches. I suffer from depression too and also take Prozac and Xanax. The fertility doctor and my psychologist told me to keep taking the meds. including the Imitrex because I would get more stressed out. I went to the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago and have seen a neurologist. The Diamond Headache Clinic was absoultely no help, it was very disappointing, nor was the neurologist. I have had migraines for 10 years and they just keep getting worse.

Thanks for telling me about your successfully having a daughter and having taken Imitrex. My husband and I are so sad we haven't gotten pregnant yet. I just found out another one of my friends is pregnant today and that just depressed me even more. I just feel that even if I do get pregnant, will I have done something to hurt the baby by using the Imitrex and what if I get a migraine while I'm pregnant.

Thanks for listening and I am trying to stay peaceful.

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Report This| Share this:Imitrex and getting pregnantThank you so much for your response. I am just trying to get through until Tues. when we have our pregnancy test. I have had to take Imitrex 2 more times. I think I am getting rebound headaches. I suffer from depression too and also take Prozac and Xanax. The fertility doctor and my psychologist told me to keep taking the meds. including the Imitrex because I would get more stressed out. I went to the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago and have seen a neurologist. The Diamond Headache Clinic was absoultely no help, it was very disappointing, nor was the neurologist. I have had migraines for 10 years and they just keep getting worse.

Thanks for telling me about your successfully having a daughter and having taken Imitrex. My husband and I are so sad we haven't gotten pregnant yet. I just found out another one of my friends is pregnant today and that just depressed me even more. I just feel that even if I do get pregnant, will I have done something to hurt the baby by using the Imitrex and what if I get a migraine while I'm pregnant.

Just wondering how you are doing. We are not pregnant and have given up on IVF and getting pregnant on our own. We are starting with adoption and have our first home study on Friday. We are excited! No more worrying about Imitrex. I may have found a solution to my migraines...Zyprexa. No headaches for 3 days (knock on wood).

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Report This| Share this:Imitrex and getting pregnantJust wondering how you are doing. We are not pregnant and have given up on IVF and getting pregnant on our own. We are starting with adoption and have our first home study on Friday. We are excited! No more worrying about Imitrex. I may have found a solution to my migraines...Zyprexa. No headaches for 3 days (knock on wood).

So glad to hear from you. Have been thinking about you after the last posting when you said that you were waiting to hear on Tues to see if you and your husband were pregnant. I thought about you on that Tues but didn't know quite how to ask you how things went because you probably have family members and friends asking you as well...didn't want to be one more person asking if you didn't want to talk about it.

So sorry to hear that you and your husband did not have luck with the IVF, but I'm so happy and excited that you are looking into adoption:) What a wonderful thing to look forward to. You and your husband should keep trying though cause I've heard sooo many stories of people getting pregnant when they stop trying.

And yes at least you don't have to worry about the imitrex anymore!!! My goddness how often do you get the migraines? I did a double take when I saw that you haven't had a migraine in 3 days which led me to believe that this is unusual in that you get them more often then that!!!! I'm so sorry that you have to deal with that...

As for me still getting the migraines even after seeing the flipping neurologist last Thursday. She basically said that I can start to take a preventative medication and to keep taking the imitrex which leaves me at square one again because we are trying to get pregnant...still not pregnant yet:( I have one more week to wait and see if we are in luck this month.

The neurologist said that she recommends that I still take the imitrex during pregnancy...so frustrating that all drs say something different but she said that she'd rather have me take that then the hydrocodone and that imitrex is in the same class as hydrocodone when it comes to safety during pregnancy. Been getting one migraine a week now adays which is frequent for me. When I was in college I used to get them like every six months. That was awhile ago though.. 34 now and don't know what the heck has happened since then to make me get them more often. So taking the imitrex and not happy about it at all but don't have a choice:(

Anyways... great to hear from you and hope that Friday goes great! for you.Liz

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Report This| Share this:Imitrex and getting pregnantSo glad to hear from you. Have been thinking about you after the last posting when you said that you were waiting to hear on Tues to see if you and your husband were pregnant. I thought about you on that Tues but didn't know quite how to ask you how things went because you probably have family members and friends asking you as well...didn't want to be one more person asking if you didn't want to talk about it.

So sorry to hear that you and your husband did not have luck with the IVF, but I'm so happy and excited that you are looking into adoption:) What a wonderful thing to look forward to. You and your husband should keep trying though cause I've heard sooo many stories of people getting pregnant when they stop trying.

And yes at least you don't have to worry about the imitrex anymore!!! My goddness how often do you get the migraines? I did a double take when I saw that you haven't had a migraine in 3 days which led me to believe that this is unusual in that you get them more often then that!!!! I'm so sorry that you have to deal with that...

As for me still getting the migraines even after seeing the flipping neurologist last Thursday. She basically said that I can start to take a preventative medication and to keep taking the imitrex which leaves me at square one again because we are trying to get pregnant...still not pregnant yet:( I have one more week to wait and see if we are in luck this month.

The neurologist said that she recommends that I still take the imitrex during pregnancy...so frustrating that all drs say something different but she said that she'd rather have me take that then the hydrocodone and that imitrex is in the same class as hydrocodone when it comes to safety during pregnancy. Been getting one migraine a week now adays which is frequent for me. When I was in college I used to get them like every six months. That was awhile ago though.. 34 now and don't know what the heck has happened since then to make me get them more often. So taking the imitrex and not happy about it at all but don't have a choice:(

Anyways... great to hear from you and hope that Friday goes great! for you.Liz

Thanks so much for relplying and thinking of my husband and myself. Our home study has been moved to Tuesday, but that's ok.

In answer to your question...how often do I get migraines? It used to be just a this summer that I got about 18 a month (for the last 5 years or so). I would get 9 Imitrex pills @ 100 mg. (becuase that's all that is allowed through the prescription company) and cut them in half. Starting Nov. 1st I have had one everyday except this past Mon., Tues., and Wed. in which I still took 1 excedrin migraine a day. Therefore, really I am getting one almost everyday of the month.

Glad to hear that your neurologist said to take the Imitrex, but yes, it is confusing when all of the Drs. are saying something different. My OBG-YN and 2 of my fertility doctors told me to keep taking it because it would be worse for me; however, it killed me to take it, like you, because you feel like you're killing your precious baby.

Good luck and let me know either way if you are pregnant. I am praying for you and thinking of you too. Hang in there. These migraines are a pain, but a baby will bring such pleasure.

In answer to your question...how often do I get migraines? It used to be just a this summer that I got about 18 a month (for the last 5 years or so). I would get 9 Imitrex pills @ 100 mg. (becuase that's all that is allowed through the prescription company) and cut them in half. Starting Nov. 1st I have had one everyday except this past Mon., Tues., and Wed. in which I still took 1 excedrin migraine a day. Therefore, really I am getting one almost everyday of the month.

Glad to hear that your neurologist said to take the Imitrex, but yes, it is confusing when all of the Drs. are saying something different. My OBG-YN and 2 of my fertility doctors told me to keep taking it because it would be worse for me; however, it killed me to take it, like you, because you feel like you're killing your precious baby.

Good luck and let me know either way if you are pregnant. I am praying for you and thinking of you too. Hang in there. These migraines are a pain, but a baby will bring such pleasure.

How was your Thanksgiving?? Hope that is was a great one:) How am I doing??? Well we're still not pregnant yet which is frustrating cause I thought this month was going to be THE month:( It's ok we'll keep trying...Trying to keep my spirits up about it. Thanksgiving was wonderful with my family although my grandfather who is like my second dad has been very ill and wasn't able to spend this Thanksgiving with us. Then today my mom called me crying and said that he only has like a few days left and is nearing the end...He's been struggling for a while now with Parkinson's...ugggg. So that's where I was all day today. Sitting with my mom and sister in his room and holding his hand. And what tops the day completely off is having to leave my grandpa and mom because I was starting to get a flippin migraine!!! Never ends...Took my imitrex and it's going away thank goodness...I still can't believe that you get migraines as often as you do. I'm so very sorry to hear that:( How did your home study go this last Tues??? Hope the adoption process has gotten off to a swift start:) You'll have to let me know how it went.Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts in terms of getting pregnant...you are in my thoughts as well to be blessed with a baby:)

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Report This| Share this:Imitrex and getting pregnantHow was your Thanksgiving?? Hope that is was a great one:) How am I doing??? Well we're still not pregnant yet which is frustrating cause I thought this month was going to be THE month:( It's ok we'll keep trying...Trying to keep my spirits up about it. Thanksgiving was wonderful with my family although my grandfather who is like my second dad has been very ill and wasn't able to spend this Thanksgiving with us. Then today my mom called me crying and said that he only has like a few days left and is nearing the end...He's been struggling for a while now with Parkinson's...ugggg. So that's where I was all day today. Sitting with my mom and sister in his room and holding his hand. And what tops the day completely off is having to leave my grandpa and mom because I was starting to get a flippin migraine!!! Never ends...Took my imitrex and it's going away thank goodness...I still can't believe that you get migraines as often as you do. I'm so very sorry to hear that:( How did your home study go this last Tues??? Hope the adoption process has gotten off to a swift start:) You'll have to let me know how it went.Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts in terms of getting pregnant...you are in my thoughts as well to be blessed with a baby:)

My Thanksgiving was nice. I am so sorry to hear about your Grandfather. That is so sad. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Darn these headaches. I wish they would come up with a miracle drug!

So sorry to hear that you are not pregnant! Don't give up!

I have been virtually migraine free for the last week. I have only had one migraine. I don't know if this is because of the Zyprexa, or if it is because the hormones from the IVF are finally out of my system, or if it's because I'm not getting my period! Who knows! I have also quit chocolate for the last two weeks.

The home study went wonderfully and now we are filling out tons of paperwork; however, it is much easier that worry about a migraine in relation to getting pregnant (and easier than getting pregnant!) If one more person tells me, "Oh, now that you are adopting you'll get pregnant," I am going to sock them!!!!!

Report This| Share this:Imitrex and getting pregnantMy Thanksgiving was nice. I am so sorry to hear about your Grandfather. That is so sad. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Darn these headaches. I wish they would come up with a miracle drug!

So sorry to hear that you are not pregnant! Don't give up!

I have been virtually migraine free for the last week. I have only had one migraine. I don't know if this is because of the Zyprexa, or if it is because the hormones from the IVF are finally out of my system, or if it's because I'm not getting my period! Who knows! I have also quit chocolate for the last two weeks.

The home study went wonderfully and now we are filling out tons of paperwork; however, it is much easier that worry about a migraine in relation to getting pregnant (and easier than getting pregnant!) If one more person tells me, "Oh, now that you are adopting you'll get pregnant," I am going to sock them!!!!!

I saw the comments that you made and @ thebugsmom.I just was sent to the Neurologist by my ENT (My allergist sent me to the ENT) I had sever migraines before I went on and while on the High Estrogen birth control pill. They would last off and on for three weeks! It also raised my blood pressure to a dangerous rate. My OB changed me to the Mini Pill that is lower in estrogen. They stopped immediately and my BP went back to normal in a couple days. The Neurologist gave me Imitrex to take to control my Facial Pain caused by a Deviated Septum and as precaution since I am prone to the Migrains. I was a little shocked when he asked my husband and I if we were trying to have children. Obviously since Im on the pill we arnt, but we have always said that if an accident were to happen we would totally love it! Its one of those, we cant really make that concrete yes to have a child. I cried the whole way home and have been really sad since and my husband was upset that we were told that we CAN NOT try to have children while on Imitrex. Now that we have been told NO, we are worried about what will happen if I do accidentally get pregnant or we do change our minds and decide to try. It made me feel so sad to read your comments about your guilt. I feel quilt...even though I'm not pregnant...the thought of the possibility is enough to make me cry my eyes out. I'm so torn! Its just a crappy situation, either I have the pain and can barley function while taking way over the limit of OTC pills or I take the Imitrex. Reading what you wrote is helping me so much. I plan sharing it with my husband. I do hope so much that you can work threw this and be able to be blessed with a beautiful baby!

Sincerly!

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Report This| Share this:Imitrex and getting pregnantI saw the comments that you made and @ thebugsmom.I just was sent to the Neurologist by my ENT (My allergist sent me to the ENT) I had sever migraines before I went on and while on the High Estrogen birth control pill. They would last off and on for three weeks! It also raised my blood pressure to a dangerous rate. My OB changed me to the Mini Pill that is lower in estrogen. They stopped immediately and my BP went back to normal in a couple days. The Neurologist gave me Imitrex to take to control my Facial Pain caused by a Deviated Septum and as precaution since I am prone to the Migrains. I was a little shocked when he asked my husband and I if we were trying to have children. Obviously since Im on the pill we arnt, but we have always said that if an accident were to happen we would totally love it! Its one of those, we cant really make that concrete yes to have a child. I cried the whole way home and have been really sad since and my husband was upset that we were told that we CAN NOT try to have children while on Imitrex. Now that we have been told NO, we are worried about what will happen if I do accidentally get pregnant or we do change our minds and decide to try. It made me feel so sad to read your comments about your guilt. I feel quilt...even though I'm not pregnant...the thought of the possibility is enough to make me cry my eyes out. I'm so torn! Its just a crappy situation, either I have the pain and can barley function while taking way over the limit of OTC pills or I take the Imitrex. Reading what you wrote is helping me so much. I plan sharing it with my husband. I do hope so much that you can work threw this and be able to be blessed with a beautiful baby!

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